Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-11-25
A MIGHTY NIMROD.
by R W. NJ

In the autumn Of 1852, after having
traversed a great part of the Western
territory, Hound myself in the pleasant
and healthy little village Of Fayetteville,
in the north western part Of Arkansas.
Here, in consequence Of the large guam
titles OF game with which the neighbor-
hood aJounded, 1 determined to devote
a few weeks to recruiting my strength,
which, owing to the laborious manner in
which I had Travelled. had become very
much exhausted, and also to enjoy the
pleasure Of my favorite amusement
hunting.
Upon one OF my hunting excursions I
had been singularly unsuccessful not
having had shot during the whole day,
and, as might be supposed, felt in a not
very Joyous mood; for upon all previous
occasions had met with great success.
This i'll luck caused me- to remain in
the forest much longer than ] had an
ticipated; and when / first began to
think of returning, / found that it was
already beginning TO get dark, and L
had quite a distance to travel through
the forest before reaching the village.
", airy IL body and harrassed in mind,
in consequence Of my want of success, 1
slowly rstraced my steps. Soon the
dark mantle Of night was spread upon
the forest, and ], rs yet, perceived no
signs of the opening. I fastened my
steps, thinking. If possible, to reach the
clearing ere it became too dark for
travel Faster and faster 1 walked,
until I found myself going at a brisk
trOt, although at every step my clothes
were torn by the brush, and my flesh
considerably lacerated. Soon, how
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pace, as it had become so dark that 1
was unable to distin ouish the trees, and
rather reluctantly came to the cOnclu-
sion that 1 would have to take up my
quarters for the night where / was
AS my mind was thus employed, try
ing to arrange some plan for my night's
accommodation, I was startled by a
piercing shrek, as Of some person in
distress. 1 stopped suddenly, and en-
denvored to peer into the darkness for
an explanation. Again I heard the
sound, although apparently at not so
great e distance from me as the first
stood then irresolutely. We're it q
human being. it would be nv duty to
render any assistance that might be in
my power, and. At this point OF
my meditations L perceived through
the underbrush, a short distance from
me, two objects close together, resem-
bling small balls Of fire.
/ had now OWNED the cause of the
noise ] had heard. 1t proceeded from
a wild animal, and that animal was now
watching me with its fre-like orbsl
hastily raised my rifle and fired but
AS the object was some distance from
me, and not being able to draw 8
sight, must have missed 1t, for NJ
i. ii H.
with two or three bounds, it was be
fore me. I now discovered, from it!
close proximity, that it was a panther
that much-dreaded and savage animal
which old hunters, even when vel
equipped, are 10th to meet. / drew
my hunting-knife, not having time Il
reload my rifle, and waited for tn,
fatal spring; but to my surprise, tn,
panther crouche down about tWelvu
feet from me, and gazed into my eye
in a manner not suited to lessen m
excitement. Steadily 1 watched it, ex
pecting every moment to be torn il
pieces by the ferociOus animal, al
though l was determined to defend m,
life to the LAST extremity. Once L on
deavored to reload my rifle, but tn
moment I commenced 10 move til
panther rose, rs If about to spriEl
upon me. / determined, therefore, &
keep myself IN readiness for the at
tack. for I perceived, from the move
uents OF my enemy, that should
attempt to move it would be upon m,
In an instant. There We were, in tn
midst of q dense forest, cycling eacl
other with q bitter enmity.
Thus was / kept in suspense for
long time-I know not how long, 70
each minute seemed an hour, until tn
panther, probably becoming hungry
Ulowly advanced toward me. Whe
within about six feet of me, it agai
s.opued, and prepared for the spring
tanned my compOsure manfullv, 70
though / had been much excited o.
the first appearance of the animal, tn
length of time that had interviewed
and the hopelessness Of my case. haI
given me new strength, and 1 deter
mined that if must die, it would b
bravely defending my life.
Suddenly the panther gave a spring
This / had anticipated, and plante,
myself as firmly as possible, holding
my knife in such q manner that the ami
NAL would Jump upon It. The shoe
knocked me down; but / knew that
had buried my knife in the animal
body, for the warm blood that feI
upon me, convinced me of the fact
had not killed the panther, however
for, before L could regain my feet,
was upon me; and as had lost m!
knife Immediately upon the first attack
/ was almost powerless, having moth
ing to defend myself with but wha
nature had bequeathed to me. 1t again
jumped upon me, and we rolled owe
and over upon the earth. I clasped
with all my power around the body
aud from the tightness with which
held it. it was unable &
90 me much injury.
f-lt, with pleasure too, that it
strength was decreasing. and conclude,
that the knife must have entered a Vi
tai part. / held firmly, knowing, tina
should i relax my efforts, death wOul
lie the Inevitable result Every me-
ment felt the strength of the panthe
diminish. until finally It ceased its hol
altogether. knew now that my en-
envy was dead, in consequence Of tn
wound it had received In its first al
tack aud, after j became aware of Tia
fact that its life was extinct. I began
examine my own injuries, which, a
though not severe, were humerous-
found that my breast had been torn cor
siderlbly on the first attack, I boun
up my injuries with my handkerohie.
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